San Juan Capistrano

^{Santa Juan Capistrano has a 240 year history that lends to cultural and religious relevance. Known as a city of inspiration, it was founded by Junipero Serra and was one of the 21 missions that the Spanish wished to establish in California. While it was originally established in October of 1775, a war party created havoc and destruction and the soldiers went back to San Diego under orders.}

^{The purpose of setting up San Juan Capistrano was to help spread Christianity to the natives of California as well as expand Spain’s territories. Missions and forts were one of the main ways to spread the rule of Spanish. The main reason for these missions was to further push Catholicism and to advocate for the bedrock of Spanish agriculture.}

^{Originally, the indigenous Acjachemen (Ah-HAWSH-eh-men) people inhabited the area. This incursion brought many changes for them. While the Spanish did bring about technology, food, animals, clothing and new ways of doing things, it would require the Acjachemen to abandon life as they knew it, almost completely. Many of them had no choice but to leave their villages for the missions. The Spanish also brought an onslaught of sickness that the Native Americans were not familiar with. Their bodies didn’t have the immunities and their dwellings were not fit to help them fight. As such, many of them died during this time.}

^{In fact, around 1770 there was an estimated 65,000 Native Americans living in the coastal zone of California (also known as the mission chain zone) and by 1830, there were only about 17,000 remaining. That’s a decline of 74%.}

^{In December of 1812, an earthquake and many other factors brought about the decline of the Mission. Besides that, the mortality rate increased while the birth rate decreased and the Spanish government was unable to keep up with what the Mission needed to survive. The Mission continued to decline even more so after 1821 when Mexico won its independence from Mexico.}

^{After an array of changes including selling the Mission and California becoming a state, President Abraham Lincoln gave the Mission back to the Catholic Church in 1865.}

^{The Mission now provides a cultural experience to those who visit it. It offers inspiration, history, culture, education and a beautifully preserved landmark.}

^{The median household income is $91,600 as of 2019.}

^{Population: Approximately 35,922 as of 2019}

^{Well Known Places in San Juan Capistrano}

^{Mission San Juan Capistrano, Landmark, Chapel, Museum and Gardens}

^{Los Rios Street Historic District}

^{Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano}

^{Fact Sheet}

^{It was the only mission to be founded twice by Father Junipero Serra then one week later by Father Fermin Lausen.}

^{Sometimes it was called “Jewel of the Missions” because of how beautiful it is.}

^{The city was incorporated on November 1, 1776.}